NBA FINALS "LAKERS vs. PISTONS"

[Wall St. Peon]

Pistons in seven.

Karl Malone is hobbling right now, even though they say his knee will be fine by Sunday (he got it drained yesterday...trust me, that'll barely be enough recovery time and he'll be lucky not to reinjure it if he plays 30 minutes). Rasheed Wallace is hurting, too, but he's come into form late in the Conference finals. Playing for Larry Brown, a fellow UNC product, is doing wonders: R. Wallace still plays with his exceptional emotion, but he is playing within the game and Brown's system, and because of that, I give him the advantage of an aged, ailing Malone.

Rick Fox, who someone mentioned as a key cog, is also injured. He went to a neurologist today because of neck pain. It's probably minor, but he's coming back from an injury, so anything could be the case. He hasn't played for long, so he isn't in the best playing shape or form.

Tayshaun Prince. George will be a non-factor - as will Fox, Rush, or Walton - because of Prince. If George has trouble consistantly making shots against Trenton Hassell, Spree, Szczerbiak, and Fred Hoiberg, then he'll have problems against the defensively minded Prince - who is 6'10 with a 7'0 wingspan.

Shaq will get his, but he'll be tired by game 3 because of all the bodies the Pistons will throw at him. They have B. Wallace, R.Wallace, Campbell, Okur, hell, even Milicic...that's a lot of fouls to give, and I'm guessing they'll use them. I'm guessing he'll probably end up averaging around 22 and 10 for the series, but his free throws will be a problem because he'll go to the line a lot...and the hard fouls will catch up to him, tiring his fat ass a bit, thus throwing off his free throw shot putting. His rebounds are so low because, well, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince...that's a lot of height for the Lakers to deal with, height they don't have.

Kobe will get his, probably between 25-30 points and 5 dimes and boards...but Hamilton will match up well against him because of his endurance. Because of the travel, this will hurt Kobe. Think of this: Detroit is further East than Minnesota, and because of jet lag, this will affect Kobe a little bit. Not much, as the Lakers will get to Detroit two or three days before the game to get rested. However, look for fatigue to be a factor for Kobe simply because Hamilton has such great endurance. Also, look for the Wallaces to set some hard screens on Kobe, probably on his right side (I think that's the shoulder that's bothered him). Dirty, yes, but smart and legal...I think Kobe will have the advantage in points, but Hamilton will do roughly the same if not better offensively against Kobe. Why? He did great against against Artest, who is a much better defender than Kobe.

Payton and Billups? Well, I'll give this to Billups simply because Payton is out of the system. With that being said, Fisher will be the x-factor for the entire series. However, Billups plays exceptional defense, so I think both Payton and Fisher will have trouble scoring. Mike James is also a solid defender, as is Lindsay Hunter. It's the closest thing to a stalemate in this matchup, imo, but the edge goes slightly to Detroit because of their defense; it's much better than the Lakers defense at the point, and Fisher's main strength is scoring, as is Payton's, since his D is so horrible now.

The bench is a toss up. Defense vs. offense. It could go either way, but I'll go with D.

The Lakers will take game 1, but the Pistons will take game two. The pistons are underdogs again, just as they were in the Pacers series, and because of that, they'll give the Lakers a much stronger fight than anyone else. Their defense will hold the Lakers under 80 points per game for the series, and I'm not talking one on one D....their help D is some of the best I've ever seen.

The rest of the games, I don't have a prediction. Everyone saying "sweep" is wrong...if I'm wrong, then the Pistons will win at least one game, I can garuntee that simply because the Lakers come out at least one game lethargic as hell.

The main problem for Detroit, to me, is the officials. If the game is called fairly, but the players are allowed to be physical - which is Detroit's style - then the Pistons will win. If it is closely called, that favors the Lakers because...well, they aren't that physical of a team. Shaq and Malone are, but everyone else isn't so much. And remember, Malone is fragile...physical doesn't work for him.

I'm going to be attacked and called stupid, this I know; however, give me some good counterpoints to what I'm saying, and I might not think you're a bandwagoner....

[Yessie]

Pistons in seven.

Karl Malone is hobbling right now, even though they say his knee will be fine by Sunday (he got it drained yesterday...trust me, that'll barely be enough recovery time and he'll be lucky not to reinjure it if he plays 30 minutes). Rasheed Wallace is hurting, too, but he's come into form late in the Conference finals. Playing for Larry Brown, a fellow UNC product, is doing wonders: R. Wallace still plays with his exceptional emotion, but he is playing within the game and Brown's system, and because of that, I give him the advantage of an aged, ailing Malone.

Rick Fox, who someone mentioned as a key cog, is also injured. He went to a neurologist today because of neck pain. It's probably minor, but he's coming back from an injury, so anything could be the case. He hasn't played for long, so he isn't in the best playing shape or form.

Tayshaun Prince. George will be a non-factor - as will Fox, Rush, or Walton - because of Prince. If George has trouble consistantly making shots against Trenton Hassell, Spree, Szczerbiak, and Fred Hoiberg, then he'll have problems against the defensively minded Prince - who is 6'10 with a 7'0 wingspan.

Shaq will get his, but he'll be tired by game 3 because of all the bodies the Pistons will throw at him. They have B. Wallace, R.Wallace, Campbell, Okur, hell, even Milicic...that's a lot of fouls to give, and I'm guessing they'll use them. I'm guessing he'll probably end up averaging around 22 and 10 for the series, but his free throws will be a problem because he'll go to the line a lot...and the hard fouls will catch up to him, tiring his fat ass a bit, thus throwing off his free throw shot putting. His rebounds are so low because, well, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince...that's a lot of height for the Lakers to deal with, height they don't have.

Kobe will get his, probably between 25-30 points and 5 dimes and boards...but Hamilton will match up well against him because of his endurance. Because of the travel, this will hurt Kobe. Think of this: Detroit is further East than Minnesota, and because of jet lag, this will affect Kobe a little bit. Not much, as the Lakers will get to Detroit two or three days before the game to get rested. However, look for fatigue to be a factor for Kobe simply because Hamilton has such great endurance. Also, look for the Wallaces to set some hard screens on Kobe, probably on his right side (I think that's the shoulder that's bothered him). Dirty, yes, but smart and legal...I think Kobe will have the advantage in points, but Hamilton will do roughly the same if not better offensively against Kobe. Why? He did great against against Artest, who is a much better defender than Kobe.

Payton and Billups? Well, I'll give this to Billups simply because Payton is out of the system. With that being said, Fisher will be the x-factor for the entire series. However, Billups plays exceptional defense, so I think both Payton and Fisher will have trouble scoring. Mike James is also a solid defender, as is Lindsay Hunter. It's the closest thing to a stalemate in this matchup, imo, but the edge goes slightly to Detroit because of their defense; it's much better than the Lakers defense at the point, and Fisher's main strength is scoring, as is Payton's, since his D is so horrible now.

The bench is a toss up. Defense vs. offense. It could go either way, but I'll go with D.

The Lakers will take game 1, but the Pistons will take game two. The pistons are underdogs again, just as they were in the Pacers series, and because of that, they'll give the Lakers a much stronger fight than anyone else. Their defense will hold the Lakers under 80 points per game for the series, and I'm not talking one on one D....their help D is some of the best I've ever seen.

The rest of the games, I don't have a prediction. Everyone saying "sweep" is wrong...if I'm wrong, then the Pistons will win at least one game, I can garuntee that simply because the Lakers come out at least one game lethargic as hell.

The main problem for Detroit, to me, is the officials. If the game is called fairly, but the players are allowed to be physical - which is Detroit's style - then the Pistons will win. If it is closely called, that favors the Lakers because...well, they aren't that physical of a team. Shaq and Malone are, but everyone else isn't so much. And remember, Malone is fragile...physical doesn't work for him.

I'm going to be attacked and called stupid, this I know; however, give me some good counterpoints to what I'm saying, and I might not think you're a bandwagoner....

ok im not going to argue here, you made some good points. but 1 a think your way off on is Malone, just cause he got his knee worked on doesnt say hes fragile and cant play 30plus minutes. didnt malone hold down TD and KG. both 1 and 2 in MVP voting. i dont think sheed is anywhere close to TD or KG , the best chance sheed has of scoring on malone is if he stays in the perimeter and makes jumpers sorta like KG going into the paint and backing down is the wrong move malone dominates that part of the game 1 on 1, Shaq wont have to worry too much on gaurding ben wallace he will give him his 15ft jumpers all day long it all comes down to ben wallace making them. and are you in the east coast? cause im sure the 3 teams the lakers have played so far tried to be physical with them and every single time there was a small scrimmage on the floor malone was the main guy in it or he would do something about it after the minor rumble. now i think george needs to step up a little and make sure he doesnt lose prince, cause if theres a fault on the lakers team on D its george but he makes it up with a few pts here and there. now i think Rip vs Kobe matchup is the one to watch i very much doubt these two guys will gaurd each other too much seens both are the go to guys for both team.but if they do Kobe will have a better chance of winning this matchup, not only is Kobe a great offensive player but he is also a good Defensive player and he will give rip trouble , dont get me wrong rip has improved alot from last year but still he wont be able to contain Kobe i dont even think Prince can contain Kobe. i dont even think there such thing as a Kobe stooper many have tried and all have failed. now GP vs Billups the generals of the floor im pretty sure these is billups 1st finals ever and well this is GP 2nd finals. if GP gets on fire early he will play tough D on billups and contain him. now the benches well by far the pistons have a better defensive bench im going to enjoy watching Slave vs Okur Mike james vs fisher Rush vs hunter i just think the lakers have more firepower on the bench then the pistons bench can handle xome on your saying rush wont be a factor in any games well im sure he won game 6 for the lakers vs Min. Fox will play some but if you think he is still a big part of the lakers team your stuck in the past the only reason fox is ther eis to be a veteran leader and help the young guys shake off bad game , Rick Fox is like Horace grant and the many ex-players coach by Phil Jackson who are always in the back of the bench giving the young guys advice. tell me you didnt see Brian Shaq, Ron harper and even Dennis Rodman near the lakers Bench during the playoffs well i know i did i was at most of the game these playoffs.GP as will Malone step up their game big time remember they been waiting all season to be back in the finals and finally His Airness will not be in there way of the Championship trophy they have been waiting all there careers for. simply the Lakers are hungrier and they have proven that by beating the top teams in the West. come on i think kings,wolves,spurs would have taken out the pistons just as the lakers will do in this years finals.

[Crappystuff]

as i've said in dot.org lakers in 5 or 6.

i'm no laker fan as micchy_boy knows. the pistons should find a way to stop kobe's acting in the first half(in every laker game i see, kobe faked out everyone by not hitting shots, then at the second he starts to put it all in.). so is to stop shaq which is only possible if you're ultraman.

so if pistons would like a smile on isaih thomas's face, they should at least shrug a game or two against the lakers.

[Jackal]

I didn't really bother to read, yeah I'm lazy.

Just a question: All those who chose Detroit to win it, do you think they are better than the Spurs, Timber Wolves? Detroit is good, not good enough. As much as I would like them to win it, it's not happening this year. *sigh* I dont have any facts or statistics, it's just random bullshit I'm getting from my gut feelings. Anyways, I'll eat my words when the serie is over and the Pistons are crowned champions. If they are crowned champions.

Enough talk, when do the games begin.

so if pistons would like a smile on isaih thomas's face, they should at least shrug a game or two against the lakers.

You mean Joe Dumars, right?

Lakers in 5. Max 6.

[Gripni]

Lakesho in 5. Star POWER. Marquee players. Pistons have 0 superstars Lakers have 2. Comes down to 8 + 34 again. They are too good.

[Wall St. Peon]

Yessie, paragraphs man, paragraphs.

but 1 a think your way off on is Malone, just cause he got his knee worked on doesnt say hes fragile and cant play 30plus minutes.

I do. I know a lot about knee injuries and getting your knee drained and the effect it has on your athletic performance. Why? I've had my knee drained three times, and it took me about a week to get back to my normal playing level, but the endurance was just not there. He IS fragile because of that knee, and playing on it without resting it for 2-3 weeks is NOT gonna make it better.

didnt malone hold down TD and KG. both 1 and 2 in MVP voting. i dont think sheed is anywhere close to TD or KG , the best chance sheed has of scoring on malone is if he stays in the perimeter and makes jumpers sorta like KG going into the paint and backing down is the wrong move malone dominates that part of the game 1 on 1

Wallace isn't the first option. His game isn't in the post, either, it's a more perimeter game anyway. He has post moves, but he doesn't need them...he has three point range. Yes, Malone "contained" KG (even though KG was averaging a double double and around 25ppg ), and he did well against Duncan...even though, you know, Shaq helps with the post players. Rasheed is more like KG than Duncan, and because of that, he'll be fine - especially with Jackson playing Malone sparinlyg the first couple games because of the knee (say, between 25-30 mpg). Because the knee is weaker, Malone is that much more at risk to tear an ACL. Muscle atrophy kicks in fairly soon because of inactivity, especially for someone as fit as he. If he doesn't work out for 3-4 days, he'll lose muscle around his knee and won't be able to play at the same level...it won't be noticeable, ie visible, but it'll happen.

Shaq wont have to worry too much on gaurding ben wallace he will give him his 15ft jumpers all day long it all comes down to ben wallace making them.

In case you haven't noticed....Ben Wallace is the 17th option on the Pistons...he's behind Larry Brown and the ball boy in the offensive sets.... I don't think anyone worries about jumpers from Ben Wallace. His points come off of offensive rebounds - which he will still get.

and are you in the east coast?

No...I'm in Iowa.

cause im sure the 3 teams the lakers have played so far tried to be physical with them and every single time there was a small scrimmage on the floor malone was the main guy in it or he would do something about it after the minor rumble.

The East is more physical, especially the Pistons...you know how thye're called "Bad Boyz 2?" Yeah, that's why. The Lakers have not played a team as physical as the Pistons this year. As for Malone being in the scuffle, that's before he got his knee SURGICALLY drained with a scope, removing pieces of bone and cartilage that have worn off because of his previous knee injury and the fact he's been playing on it.

now i think george needs to step up a little and make sure he doesnt lose prince, cause if theres a fault on the lakers team on D its george but he makes it up with a few pts here and there.

Prince isn't an offensive player, he's a defensive player. He's 6'10 with a 7'0 wingspan, which means the Lakers small forwards are going to have a helluva time getting thier jumpshots off. You mention Rush later, but he's only what, 6'4, 6'5? Yeah, his jumpshot will be severly effect, and because of Prince's ability to force poor jumpshots, he'll force the Lakers forwards to drive into the lane, and who's in the lane? The Wallaces.

now i think Rip vs Kobe matchup is the one to watch i very much doubt these two guys will gaurd each other too much seens both are the go to guys for both team.

They'll guard each other. Prince isn't quick enough. Kobe is the best perimeter defender and Hamilton the best scorer....of course they'll guard each other. They'll guard each other all the time.

but if they do Kobe will have a better chance of winning this matchup, not only is Kobe a great offensive player but he is also a good Defensive player and he will give rip trouble

I said Kobe will win this matchup...Kobe and Shaq will get theirs, but the Pistons have superior defense which means that Kobe and Shaq can't win by themselves. They'll put up 50 points together, but the rest of the team has to get more than 30 ppg to win. And the Laker D isn't that great....

he wont be able to contain Kobe i dont even think Prince can contain Kobe.

I never said he would...I said Kobe would get 25 5 and 5...Prince won't guard Kobe, he's not quick enough...he'll cover him on switches, though.

I'm lazy...I don't feel like wading through the rest of your post. I have a counterpoint to each of yours, and in a nutshell, I still say Pistons in seven simply because their D is better, Malone and Fox are hobbled, and the scoring ability of the bench will be nullified by the defense of Tayshaun Prince, Mike James, and Lindsay Hunter. Shaq and Kobe will get there's, and Malone will pry chip in between 10-15 points, but Payton will be mostly a non-factor because of the emphasis placed on Fisher, who Billups is much better than.

Lakesho in 5. Star POWER. Marquee players. Pistons have 0 superstars Lakers have 2. Comes down to 8 + 34 again. They are too good.

Feh. Star players...didn't the Portland Trailblazers have a bunch of Marquee, star players? Don't the Kings have a bucnh of marquee, star players? Oh yeah...they do. Don't the Pacers have marquee, star players/ Jermaine O'neal, Ron Artest, Reggie Miller? Yeah....and they were beat by the team of nobodies.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch...the Lakers are the favorites and most likely to win, but I think the Pistons will win in seven games.

[Fresh8]

Read THis:

LANSING, Mich. -- The NBA Finals could lead to a long-distance dinner of Michigan or California favorites for the states' respective governors.




Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger placed a friendly bet Thursday as the Detroit Pistons prepare to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the league's championship series.


If Detroit wins the series, Schwarzenegger would dine on Michigan-made foods including a pasty -- a warm, baked pastry filled with meat, potatoes and vegetables. He'd get chocolate-covered cherries for dessert, washed down with a Vernor's ginger ale.


The action-film star would have to eat the meal at his desk, wearing a Pistons jersey.


If Los Angeles takes the crown, Granholm will receive a bottle of California wine, fresh California asparagus, an In-N-Out Burger from the California-based fast food chain, and fresh California strawberries and ice cream for dessert.


Granholm would have to eat her meal while wearing a Lakers jersey.

[.]

I sure hope this will motivate the Lakers even more

Phil Jackson: "If you dont want to do it for yourself, then do it for Arnold. We dont want him to eat his meal wearing a Pistons Jersey now do we?"

[Matt]

Well, I'd love for the Pistons to win

Nobody seams to of have mentioned C Williamson. I don't think theres anybody that can stop him on the Lakers....Slava? That would mean that he'd have to play SF, and he's not that fast or as strong as Williamson. Williamson just needs to find his comfort zone and he should be able to score.

Also, with the exception of Shaq the lakers don't have size. Okur could potentially be problematic (i think he was in reg season) for the Lakers

Heres something that has worked in the past for the Pistons....Wallace Okur and Wallace. R Wallace can play SF and given that no Laker SF is likely to hurt him offensively he won't have D probs on the perimeter, but in this case they'll play a Zone which could make it hard for the Lakers to dump it into Shaq and would require the Lakers to have their shot on. On offence Sheed can post his guy up, he's actually been playing some in the post when he's got an advantage in the block

Hey why is everyone down on the Pistons offence. In the East it's more grind-it-out, the Pistons force that kind of physical game which rubs off onto everyone. Against the Lakers in the reg season i think they got 89 and 106 and i'm sure that they can do so in the Finals.

Pistons in 7

[.]

Hey why is everyone down on the Pistons offence

I dont think people think they are not a good offensive team, but people forget they are because they are known for their defense, same with the Lakers.

I heard people say that they play terrible defense, which is not true, its just that people wont notice these things because they are known for the firepower in their offense.

Also, with the exception of Shaq the lakers don't have size. Okur could potentially be problematic (i think he was in reg season) for the Lakers

Yeah, the Lakers forgot that he is a good outside shooter like most european big guys, I remember last time the Lakers played the Pistons, Shaq just gave him all the room he needed to knock down the jumpers including a 3-pointer. Defenders do the same with Medvedenko, they always seem to forget that he is a good shooter, but yet they give him alot of room, maybe they are used that most American big men are not great shooters so they expect the same from the europeans.

About the zone, the Lakers have 1 f the best if not the best zone breaker in the league in Kobe Bryant in my opinion, I mean he can get past everyone if he wants to, but he seems to forget at times that he has that ability and tries to shoot the hard jumpers, he can get past his defender with his creativity in the dribble and draw attention from the zone defense, which he can use to find the open players and maybe Shaq will be 1 of them.

[Bang]

The best player wins the finals.
2003 - Duncan (nobody should doubt this.)
2002 - Shaq (nobody should doubt this.)
2001 - Shaq (nobody should doubt this.)
2000 - Shaq (nobody should doubt this.)
1999 - Duncan (asterisk?)
1998 - Jordan (nobody should doubt this.)
1997 - Jordan (nobody should doubt this.)
1996 - Jordan (nobody should doubt this.)
1995 - Dream (nobody should doubt this.)
1994 - Dream (nobody should doubt this.)
1993 - Jordan (nobody should doubt this.)
1992 - Jordan (nobody should doubt this.)
1991 - Jordan (nobody should doubt this.)
1990 - Zeke (Isiah Thomas for people who don't know)
1989 - Zeke (Dumars maybe? - -;; )
1988 - Magic (nobody should doubt this.)
1987 - Magic
1986 - Bird
1985 - Kareem
1984 - Bird

19 championships, the team with the best player won the finals. Yes 1 player. Say whatever you want, but 19 championships is one heck of a coincidence. You can say that he wasn't the best player in this year, bla bla bla. Anyhow, Shaq or Kobe is the best player in the NBA. (I'd still go with Shaq.) Rasheed over Kobe? Rasheed over Shaq? Hamilton over Kobe? Hamilton over Shaq?
Yes, basketball is a team game, but look at the 19 championships (or throughout). The team with the best player has won the finals. The reason, because those special players step up to the occasion. Wait? How did KG lose? It wasn't the finals, I was talking about the finals!

Oh yea, c'mon, Det better than T-wolves and SA? You gotta be kidding me. Malone is not wobbled. I defended TD and KG well, Rasheed is a HUGE step down from then. In fact, Karl Malone could possibly even stop Rasheed. He stopped TD pretty well, what makes you think Rasheed is as good as or better than KG? (If you do, you are Bill Laimbeer.)

[Bang]

Lakers don't lose at home.
Lakers win game 1 and win series.
Phil Jackson law.

[hmm]

..

[Calvenn]

Come on people, Mr.Shane has laid out a IMO VERY logical breakdown of why he believes (I do too btw and concur with his analysis to a T) the Pistons will win this series in 7. The other responses I'm seeing here are either emotional or lack proper backing IMO. Stating that the T'wolves are better than Detroit is simply not enough!

You just witnessed two of the top defensive minded teams out east battling in a defensive minded conference. The low scoring games are to be expected as a result of this. As has been said, the Pistons physicality and help defense is on a whole other level as they say. This will pose great problems for the Lakers who are not accustomed to this kind of matchup. On the offensive end, don't expect the Pistons futility to continue into this series either. The Lakers are not bad defensively, but judging by regular season stats between both teams and the fact that LA would much prefer a faster paced game (See western conference style of play) coupled with rest and motivational factors for certain players, the Pistons will be able to put up points this time around! If the Lakers are restricted to running their offense in the halfcourt set, this could cause frustration, unless Phil is able to adjust and alter the triangle like he did in the Spurs series. Even so, we'll have a real battle here.

I don't wish to rehash what Mr.shane has already stated because he's covered my thoughts on this matter for the most part. Okur and Corliss, keep an eye on these guys!

One thing is for certain, this is not going to be a cake walk for the Lakers as some prognosticators seem to think, not even close!. I honestly believe the Pistons will pull out a win based on the aforementioned analysis.

[Mazzocchi]

i think Detroit, in 7

Now I know that the lakers are a great theam theres no doubting that but the fact of the matter is, if anny team has a chance to beat the "New And Improved 3004 LA Lakers" its the Detroit Pistons (and the Dallas Mavericks lmao) between strength and skill of Sheed' and Big Ben, and the sheer playing talent Rip Hamilton, they could really compete, now lets look at some of the matchups...

O'neal vs. B.Wallace

Slight Advantage- Shaq O'Neal

Malone vs. R.Wallace

Advantage- Rasheed Wallace

George vs. Prince

Advantage- Tayshaun Prince

Bryant vs. Hamilton

Advantage- Ko-Bay! Bryant

Payton vs Billups

Slight Advantage- Gary Payton


Coaches-

Phil Jackson vs Larry Brown

(I'll finish when i get home in about an hour, I'm at school rite now)

BTW- From What If Sports.com- (Just 1 Game Tho)


Yes its not in my favor, BUT I DONT CARE!

(Player Stats- Not Pissing Off 56Kers)
http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/lakerspistons.PNG
http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/pistonslakers.PNG

[Steve04]

I was originally going to counter point by point what others had said, but I don't feel like wading through all that mess and picking out the faulty arguments, so I will present my case here.

Who Will Win the Series
The Lakers will win, either in 5 or 6.

[iWhy Will the Lakers win?[/i]
It's simple, they have a much better offensive team that the Pistons, and contrary to popular belief the Lakers can play defense. If the Pistons wish to try to make this into a slugfest then the Lakers will win. All this talk about slowing the game down is irrelevant. Has everyone forgotten the Lakers are one of the better half court teams in the league?

Also, Please spare me this talk of Ben Wallace being able to guard Shaq. And also spare me the talk of the Pistons wearing Shaq down. Every round the Lakers have played, Shaq has been getting double and triple teamed, and Shaq has been getting hacked and held and all sorts of fouls on him have not been called. He hasn't worn down before so why would he wear down now? That's just rediculous. As for Okur, Bring him on, Darko as well. The Pistons have a better chance of limiting Shaq if they were to use either of the Wallaces than the soft Okur. There is a reason he is not a regular in the Pistons rotation this year.

What's with the Pistons offense?
If I knew the answer to this one, then maybe, just maybe, I would I would believe all this talk of the Pistons upseting. As it is, I believe it is just wishful thinking. Now granted, there were two good defensive teams in the Eastern Conference finals. And maybe I would buy that argument, even though I don't, which we will get to later on, but guess what? The Pistons were not all that impressive offensively in either of the other 2 rounds of the playoffs. Both them and the Nets stunk up the joint. Are you going to tell me the Nets are a terrific defensive team as well? Please spare me.

The Reason the Pistons and the Pacers had such a low scoring series was the result of two factors. Defense and Offense, as in the lack of Offense. With the exception of Jermaine O'neal, who was injured. The Pacers did not have anyone on that team that could consistently create their own shot and take the pressure off the ailing O'neal. The Pistons do not have anyone with the exception of Rasheed Wallace and the very streaky Chauncy Billups who can create their own shot. And tell me which of the two teams have players who excel at breaking down defenses off the dribble? Countless times I watched the ball being passed around the parimeter, or in and out but the Basket was not being attacked with the dribble. That is what creates shots when nothing else is working. The Lakers have Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant. Both players who can attack the basket when Ben Wallace shuts down Shaq. Rip Hamilton relies on screens and set plays to get open. The Pistons better make sure he does get open because he is their only consistent scorer all year long.

The horrible offensive games in the Eastern Conference Finals was the product of Bad Offense and Good Defense. It is always easier to shut down an opponent when they do not have a legit, consistent scoring threat to open up and create shots for their teammates. Name me one player who does that for the Pacers or the Pistons on a consistent basis? Nobody.

Shane, the same argument you attempt to make as to why the Pistons have a shot at winning can be used for the Lakers. You say, Give Shaq and Kobe their 50(Maybe more) and make everyone else beat you. Tire Kobe out by running him over screens, and wear Shaq down by putting all those fresh big bodies the Pistons have on him.

Well guess what, I see two players on the Pistons team that are probably going to get theirs, and the 2nd is not even garunteed. Then there is a wildcard at 3. Rip Hamilton is going to get his 20 or so, that's pretty much garunteed probably right? Where is the rest going to come from? You act like the Lakers are this terrible defensive team. They shut down the Spurs by making them shoot the ball, and the Spurs couldn't knock one down!

I don't see the Pistons as all that great of a shooting team either. Rasheed Wallace is going to have to play a lot better against LA than he has all playoffs long. You say Malone will be hobbled and that will hinder LA..Malone has been hobbled for pretty much the entire playoff series. Malone will have an easier time guarding Rasheed Wallace than Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnette. Sheed's game consists of backing down his man and then turning around for the fadeaway, or stepping outside for the outside shot. He won't find it that easy to back Karl Malone down, who excels in physical situations.

Then the Pistons need their wildcard, Chauncy Billups to step up. You never know what you might get from him. Much is the same with the Lakers and Gary Payton, Kareem Rush, Devean George, etc. Whoever consistently gets contributions in the finals from that key 3rd guy will probably win. I don't see the Lakers scoring under 80 points in any game this series. I'm sorry, but the Pistons are going to have to find a way to score with that awful Offensive team in order to steal this series. I don't see the Pistons as that much greater a challenge than the last 3 opponents the Lakers faced.

Houston(PPG and FG% dropped):
Yao Ming
Steve Francis
Good supporting cast, inexperienced.

San Antonio:
Tim Duncan(PPG and FG% dropped)
Tony Parker(assists, PPG, and FG% all dropped)
Good supporting cast, defending world champions.(PPG and FG% dropped for entire team)

Minnesota(PPG Dropped, FG% Dropped slightly):
Kevin Garnette
Latrell Spreewell
Ok supporting cast, probably the best shooting team out of the three.

Detroit:
Rasheed Wallace
Richard Hamilton
Chauncy Billups

Detroit averaged per game, 14 points less than Minnesota, 9 points less than Houston, 8 points less than San Antonio in their series than those 3 teams in their series with the Lakers. Those 3 players need to account for atleast 60-70 points of Detroits offense, where is the rest going to come from?

[Old School Fool]

Lakers!!!

LET'S GET RETARDED

[Matt]

One thing I'm pretty certain on is that Chauncey Billups will be more of a factor offensively. If he can cause problems like Parker did (which he is capable of) then things will be tougher for the Lakers. On Defense if i were Larry Brown I'd try and make Kobe win the series.....let's be truthful here, when it comes to Finals Shaq absolutely dominates, Kobe can be easier to contain than Shaq but that's much easier said than done

Game 1 starts soon
DETROIT!!!!

[Micchy_boy]

halftime 1 point lead by lakers.

malone and GP struggling. nice defense by both side as kobe said they feeling each other out. i think we can see more from lakers at 2nd half.

[Amphatoast]

what's funny about the Pistons vs. Lakers is that both teams are here basically on 1 play.

Derek Fisher's Game winner & Prince's block were both turning plays in both series.

[Fresh8]

10 minutes left... Laker trail by 13

Lakers migh actually lose Game one!

But I hope we catch up...maybe a repeat of Game seven, Western COnference finals 2000 4th quater....

[Amphatoast]

10 minutes left... Laker trail by 13

Lakers migh actually lose Game one!

But I hope we catch up...maybe a repeat of Game seven, Western COnference finals 2000 4th quater....

too bad, pistons D held them down

Detroit 87, Los Angeles 75

1 down, 3 to go.

Kobe & Shaq had 25 and 34 and the next closest in points was George with 5 points! lol how embrassing. Kobe and Shaq can score all they want, but the others won't is what the Pistons were saying.

btw if Ben Wallace can hit that 15 footer, Pistons will win this series.

[HowAreYao?]

Awwwww, sorry Lakers fans. Maybe your team should get over themselves and realize that Detroit has what it takes.

This isn't a fluke either. Detroit did everything they planned on doing, which was to let Shaq get his, put Prince on Kobe and hope for the best, and keep the pace down. And nobody thought Detroit could keep L.A. in the 80's like they did Indiana...ha, they didn't need to, they kept them in the 70's

Regardless of what happens in Game 2, Detroit's home crowd is going to be nuts for 3 straight games...L.A. is in trouble...

[Matt]

87-75, Pistons win.....Hamilton will take a backseat to Billups in this series
Shaq scored 34 but had 6 TO's, he's the only Laker that had it goin, Kobe shot just 37% (10-27) and had 25pnts.

The Pistons used everybody in this series, all the starters were efficient and the bench was good too. Brown used 6 of 7 bench players in this game, Campbell had 18 mins. Now that's deep, but then again all 6 have played during the reg season

It's good to have homecourt advantage now

[idiot]

YES!!! GO PISTONS!!

btw if Ben Wallace can hit that 15 footer, Pistons will win this series.

i was like...wtf!!?? when he shot it.... amazing...
but.. gotta hit some more free throws next game guys...